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A psychiatric technician is someone who cares for people that have a mental illness or a developmental disability, and provides them with therapeutic care. Psychiatric technicians work in psychiatric hospitals, residential mental health facilities, and related healthcare settings.

What does a Psychiatric Technician do?

Observe patients’ behaviour, listen to their concerns, and record their condition

Lead patients in therapeutic and recreational activities

Give medications and other treatments, following instructions from doctors and other medical professionals

Help with admitting and discharging patients

Monitor patients’ vital signs, such as their blood pressure

Help patients with activities of daily living, including eating and bathing

Restrain patients who may become physically violent

Monitor patients’ behaviour and location in a mental healthcare facility

Help patients with their daily living activities, such as bathing or dressing

Serve meals and help patients eat

Help keep facilities clean by doing tasks such as changing bed linens

Interact with patients, leading them in educational or therapeutic activities

Participate in group activities, such as playing sports or going on field trips

Help transport patients within a hospital or residential care facility

Restrain patients who may become physically violent

Many psychiatric technicians work with patients who are severely developmentally disabled and need intensive care. Others work with patients undergoing rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addiction. Their work varies depending on the types of patients they work with.

Psychiatric technicians work as part of a medical team, under the direction of physicians and alongside other healthcare professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, and therapists. Because they have such close contact with patients, psychiatric technicians can have a great influence on patients' outlook and treatment.

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What is the workplace of a Psychiatric Technician like?

Psychiatric technicians work in psychiatric hospitals, residential mental health facilities, and related healthcare settings, such as drug or alcohol treatment centres. They may care for patients whose illnesses make them disoriented, uncooperative, or violent. They often spend much of their shift on their feet.